West Northamptonshire

West Northamptonshire's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and work life.

The population reached nearly 380,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of West Northamptonshire increased by 8.5%, from just under 346,000 to 375,000.

The addition of almost 30,000 people means this area's population increased at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, West Northamptonshire was home to, on average, 2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the East Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the East Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older West Northamptonshire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of West Northamptonshire increased by two years, from 37 to 39 years.

This suburban area had a slightly lower average age than the East Midlands and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 13,000 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 5,000.

About 11% of people in West Northamptonshire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and West Northamptonshire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in West Northamptonshire

The number of people in West Northamptonshire from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just under 5,100 in 2001 to just under 12,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 1.5% to 3.1% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the East Midlands (from 0.9% to 1.7%) and the average across England (from 2.4% to 3.6%).

The number of people in West Northamptonshire from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 330,000 in 2001 to about 340,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 94% to 90%. The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 8,700 to about 16,000 (from 2.5% to 4.3%).

Just over 8,800 people (1.3%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from about 4,400 in 2001 (2.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups in West Northamptonshire increased by 1.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and West Northamptonshire by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in West Northamptonshire that rented privately increased from 7.3% to 15% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in seven (15%) households lived in social housing, compared with 16% in 2001. The percentage of West Northamptonshire households that owned their home decreased from 74% to 68%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in West Northamptonshire increased by 7.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in West Northamptonshire, the East Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in West Northamptonshire

The percentage of West Northamptonshire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 6.7% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.1%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.4% in 2001. The percentage of West Northamptonshire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 7.3% in 2001 to 6.9% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the East Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the East Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Changing relationships in West Northamptonshire

The percentage of adults in West Northamptonshire that were married decreased from 53% to 49% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under one in three (32%) people aged 16 and over said they were single, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage of adults in West Northamptonshire that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of married people fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 53% in 2001 to 49% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 51% to 47%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the East Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the East Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

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